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Qing Boxes

QING STYLE

The last imperial dynasty from 1644 to 1912 was a time of change in China, beginning with the invasion by Manchurian forces that ended the Ming dynasty and established the Shunzhi Emperor. The expansion of exportation and trade that had bolstered the arts during the Ming era continued, as Qing dynasty furniture involved the same attention to craftsmanship with expert construction techniques in hardwood pieces that were assembled with mortise and tenon joints rather than nails or glue. Together, these eras comprise a golden age of Chinese furniture design.

Ming-style furniture is simple and elegant with clean lines. Chairs of the period and other Ming furniture made an impression on Scandinavian modernist Hans Wegner and his streamlined seating, for example. Whereas Qing-style furniture is elaborate, with an increasing influence from the West leading to lavish carving inspired by the European Baroque and Rococo styles. And while many of the forms that define examples of the latter are common within classical Chinese furniture, such as curving and folding chairs as well as large screens, Qing designs are laden with ornamentation. Frequently, the carved motifs and inlaid designs in mother-of-pearl were auspicious, such as peonies for wealth or dragons for luck. Bats were symbols of happiness in the design of Qing furniture, with one of the characters in the word for bat, bianfu, being a homophone for fu, or “fortune.”

While several types of wood were used in the construction of Qing beds, tables, storage pieces and seating, today’s collectors know that the most prized were the rare rosewoods zitan and huanghuali. They were both sourced from Hainan, China’s largest island, and are marked by a rich luster that occurs naturally, without the application of lacquer or other decorative materials. Many of the most popular woods were imported from southeast Asia, adding to their value. Red sandalwood was also sought after for its durability and connection with Chinese medicine, with some chairs being made for health benefits.

Find a collection of antique Qing tea tables, stools, benches, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: Qing
Antique Chinese Brown Lacquered Dressing Case Jewelry Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese dressing case features a warm brown lacquer finish over softwood, with a rich grain pattern and a compact, rectangular form. Likely from the early 20th century, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Canton Carved Wooden Jewelry Box, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique Chinese Canton Qing wooden jewelry box carved in high relief with figural panels and dating from the 19th century. This stunning box of rectangular casket shape stands on a pedestal shaped base with a carved edge and has relief carved figural panels...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Late Qing Dynasty Red Lacquer Document Box with Gilt Floral Scrolling Motifs
Located in Yonkers, NY
This antique Chinese red lacquer document box, dating to the late Qing dynasty (19th to early 20th century), exudes timeless elegance and functionality. Crafted from softwood, the bo...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Softwood

Petite Chinese Brass Opium Box with Dragon Etching
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite metal canister was once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Providing an airtight seal, the small box is formed of brass with an etched and stamped d...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Lattice Top Incense Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This slender metal container is a 19th-century white brass incense burner, used for storing and burning incense sticks. The small box has a rectangular form and a removable sliding t...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Red Lacquered Treasure Chest Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period red lacquered treasure chest box from the 19th century, with brass hardware. Born during the 19th century, this exquisite Qing Dynasty red lacquered treasure ch...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Altar Opium Stand with Dali Marble, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the mid-19th century, this petite hardwood box captures in miniature the elaborate form of a traditional Chinese altar table. Crafted of a dense hardwood, the narrow box is ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Marble

Chinese Baitong Stacking Incense Clock, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This three-tiered container is a 19th-century white brass incense clock, once used as a relatively accurate method to mark the passage of time. Incense c...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated all over beautifully with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Antique Qing Blue & White Porcelain Box, Unsigned, China, Late 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Qing Dynasty Blue & White porcelain box with cover - hand painted with the double happiness symbol to the top and meandering vines ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Chinese Export Tea Caddy, Lacquered Wood with Gilded Decorations
Located in Kastrup, DK
A beautifully crafted Chinese export tea caddy made of wood with black lacquer, richly adorned with gilded motifs featuring classical Chinese scenes of people, houses, and more. The ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Large Mother of Pearl Mounted Armorial Tea Caddy for MacPherson
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare, incredible and large antique Chinese carved mother of pearl mounted tea caddy with armorial for MacPherson and dating from circa...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Chinese Hand Carved Peking Glass Snuff Bottle Reverse Painted Dragon Pearl Gourd
Located in Palm Beach, FL
An exquisite Chinese Hand Carved Peking Glass Snuff Bottle. Hand painted on the reverse with a dragon chasing the pearl design. This beautiful Chinese snuff bottle is hand made of th...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass

Chinese Qing Lacquered and Inlaid Handled Sewing Box
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual and fine antique Chinese Qing lacquered and inlaid papier mache handled sewing box with decorative panels dating from latter 19th or early 20th century. The sewing box is of round cylindrical shape with a swing carry handle and is inlaid with mother of pearl and abalone. The body is made up of eight oval shaped scenes of typical Chinese style with buildings and people picked out with inset abalone and mother of pearl and highlighted and contained within a gilded border. These are set between bands of patterned abalone and against a blue silk background. A similar band of abalone is applied to the swing handle. The cover sits within a recess and is made up of bands on inset abalone with cut out triangular designs and set over blue silk with a small finely carved mother of pearl handle...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Silk, Lacquer

Chinese Red Lacquer Hide Box, c. 1880
Located in Chicago, IL
This small treasure box from the late 19th century exemplifies the lavish splendor of the Qing-dynasty (1644-1911) decorative arts, finished with intricate surface embellishment and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Chinese Export Black Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning antique Qing Dynasty Chinese export twin canister tea caddy / decorative table box. circa 1860 Hand-crafted in China for the European market when rare and exotic oriental...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Pewter

Late Qing Chinese Red and Black Lacquered Rice Measure Bucket with Carved Panels
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing dynasty Chinese wooden rice measure, hand-carved and richly lacquered in red and black, with traces of gilt enhancing its decorative motifs. Octagonal in form, the bucket...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Chinoiserie Box
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinoiserie decorated fruit box. Beautiful decorated Chinoiserie box used to serve fruits and specail treats. Hand gilt painting over red lacquer. Strong patina of wear so...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Small Antique Keepsake Box, Oriental, Decorative Case, Qing Dynasty, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique keepsake box. An Oriental, mahogany and exotic stone inlaid decorative Qing dynasty case, dating to the Edwardian period, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Stone

18th/19th Century Chinese Cinnabar Circular Box with Multiple Cartouches
Located in New York, NY
An 18th/19th Century Chinese cinnabar circular box with multiple cartouches of Families. This is a marvelous piece with very fine details on the main top panel of the box. The top pa...
Category

1790s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Picnic Box, c. 1750
Located in Chicago, IL
The basic form of this two-tiered box with handle has remained unchanged for 1,000 years. Stacked boxes were commonly used as portable containers for food or ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Small 19th century elm decorative table top chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small 19th century eastern elm table top chest circa 1890. Superb quality Chinese pyramid shaped alter table chest made from elm.  Show frame structure with a single shallow drawer ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Elm

Pair Of Antique Chinese Cloisonne Quail Boxes, Qing Dynasty, Late 19Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE CHINESE CLOISONNE TRINKET BOXES Extremely tactile little boxes in the form of a male and female quail with polychrome enamels. Very characterful and charming depiction of t...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Enamel

Small Chinese Black Cloisonne Box, Late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China
Located in Austin, TX
A small and lovely Chinese black ground cloisonne box with peony design, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The small cloisonne box raised on four bun feet, and decorated with a design of blossoming peony against a black enamel ground inlaid with geometric wire work in the "wan" pattern. The large blooms of peony depicted in pleasing shades of red, pink, and yellow enamel, with leaves of dark and light green enamel. The colored enamels pop against the black cloisonne...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Antique Huanghuali Document Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Chinese Huanghuali document box with original brass mounts. Features a rectangular lid with ornate cut-out brass corners, brass bound down a...
Category

17th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Etched Chinese Opium Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A small brass canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box dates to the 19th century and is decorated with etchi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper

Chinese Canton Enamel Lobed Round Box, Qianlong Mark, Late Qing Dynasty, China
Located in Austin, TX
A well painted Chinese Canton enamel lobed round box and cover featuring the Eight Immortals, with a Qianlong mark to the underside, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China The deligh...
Category

Early 1900s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Chinese Yellow Cloisonne Dragon Box, Republic Period, circa 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Chinese yellow cloisonne small trinket box with dragons, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The small box sets on four bun feet and designed ...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

1891-1911 Chinese Cinnabar Stamp Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
1891-1911 Chinese cinnabar stamp box. The red lacquer carved with a garden scene & a sage under a tree. Hinged. Sides are fully carved as well. Marked "China". Late Qing Dynasty. 3 3...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Stone

Chinese Hardwood Jewelry Box with Mother of Pearl Inlay, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Long ago, this elegant rosewood box was used by a Qing-dynasty lady to store her favorite pieces of jewelry, each drawer filled with jades, pearls, coral necklaces, and hair pins. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Qing Period Huanghuali Wood and Bronze Box
Located in Kastrup, DK
Chinese Huanghuali wood box decorated with bronze mountings and motifs of bats, fish and moths. The top features a classic Chinese medallion mounted to the centre of the lid. In un...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Chinese Gold Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese gold lacquer tea caddy container from the Qing Dynasty. Unique shape, hard to find.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century 14.25‘’ Large Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing Dynasty. Decorated beautifully all over with intricate designs and images of ancient C...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Sewing Box
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese lacquer sewing box from the Qing dynasty. Colored black and gold all-over beautifully with intricate designs.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Erotic Chinese Baitong Opium Box, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite white brass (baitong) canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. Dated to the 19th-century, the box is an example of Qing-dynasty erotica, incorp...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Early 20th century lacquered vanity box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century lacquered vanity box circa 1910. Good quality chinese export table top vanity box.  Hand painted in a plum and black colour scheme in a lacquered finish. Cube sh...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Mirror, Wood

18th century Chinese hard wood coffer chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rare 18th century perhaps earlier hard wood coffer, circa 1790. Presented in original un-restored condition.  Original handles and metal work to outer edges. Lid opens on ringed ha...
Category

Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Qing Dynasty Hinged Box with Brass Hardware and Weathered Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period hinged wooden box from the 19th century with brass hardware and nicely weathered patina. Crafted during the Qing Dynasty in the 19th century, this wooden box ca...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Red Lacquer Wedding Chest with Hand-Painted Décor, Qing Dynasty
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark red lacquer wooden wedding chest from the 19th century with unusual shape, hand-painted floral décor and brass hardware. Created in China ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Late Qing Dynasty Document Box with Brass Lock and Carrying Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Chinese Late Qing Dynasty period wooden document box from the early 20th century with reddish brown lacquer, brass hardware and carrying handles. Created in China during the late Qing Dynasty period in the early years of the 20th century, this wooden document box features a domed lid opening thanks to a traditional brass lock...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

18th Century Chinese Beijing enamel snuff box
Located in Basildon, GB
An 18th Century Chinese Beijing enamel snuff box finely painted to the lid and sides with typical Chinese scenes, the base painted with a leafy gourd. The lid is mounted in gilt bron...
Category

18th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century Chinese Lacquer Tea Caddy
Located in Brea, CA
Middle 19th century Chinese Export double lacquer tea caddy on stand from the Qing dynasty. octagonal form with hinged lid ,divided interior with me...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer

Chinese Shagreen Glasses Case with Tassels, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chinese spectacle case is carved from wood with a striking shagreen covering. The case dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911), still in wonderful condition with a rich deep col...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Metal

Late Qing Dynasty Rattan Tiered Lunch Box with Carved Handle and Calligraphy
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique late Qing Dynasty period rattan two-tiered nested lunch box from the early 20th century, with calligraphy and carved handle. Born during the early years of the 20th centur...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Tiered Wedding Box with Nailheads and Dark Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Qing Dynasty period wooden tiered wedding box from the 19th century, with carved sides, handle and nailheads. This Qing Dynasty period wooden tier...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Metal

Chinese Eternal Love Offering Box, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This ornately carved 19th-century offering box would have been presented as a gift filled with popular Chinese snacks, including roasted melon seeds, dried fruit, and soybeans toaste...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Lacquer, Paint, Wood

Chinese Double Handled Brass Brazier, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
On a cold winter’s night in China’s Northern provinces, the well-to-do held their hands over this coal-filled brazier to ward off the chill. Handmade of brass, the exquisitely crafte...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Qing Dynasty Square Box with Brass Lock and Distressed Lacquer Interior
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period square shaped box from the 19th century with brass lock, metal hardware and distressed lacquer interior. Born during the 19th century, this exquisite Qi...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Five Blessings Brass Brazier, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Filled with burning coals, this exquisitely crafted 19th-century brazier once warmed the cold hands of a wealthy woman on a winter night in northern China. The brazier is hand-wrough...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Late Qing Dynasty Wood and Brass Lidded Box with Lateral Handles
Located in Yonkers, NY
A late Qing Dynasty Chinese wooden box from the early 20th century with brass hardware and lateral handles. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural hi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Brass

Chinese Gilt Lacquer Hat Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
No self-respecting man in Qing-dynasty China would leave the house without some kind of hat. In fact, headgear was so central to social status that even the containers used to store ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Hide, Fabric, Wood

A Chinese Carved Red Lacquer Cinnabar Box, 19th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Carved Red Lacquer Cinnabar Box, 19th Century Provenance: Private Australian Collection. Description: Cinnabar is a red mineral compos...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Bronze Opium Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A petite bronze canister once used to store a smoker's personal supply of opium paste. A keepsake from a bygone era, the small box dates to the early 20th century and provided an air...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Boxes

Materials

Bronze

Chinese Black Lacquer Snack Box, c. 1820
Located in Chicago, IL
This simple lacquered box was once used as a 19th-century snack box, presented as a gift during holidays and special occasions. To the delight of the recipients, the unassuming box w...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Chinese Reverse Glass Treasure Chest. c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
As much an artwork as a piece of furniture, this 19th-century treasure chest from northern China is richly decorated with relief carvings and delicate gilt paintings. The doors bear ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Glass, Elm

Chinese Mother of Pearl Mounted Box with Four Boxes and Counters, 18th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and rare Chinese mother of pearl mounted games box with four matching interior boxes containing gaming counters and dating from the 18th century. The rectangular shape...
Category

1770s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Chinese Turquoise Cloisonne Trinket Box, Republic Period, c 1920, China
Located in Austin, TX
A lovely Chinese turquoise cloisonne trinket box with images of the Hundred Antiques, Republic Period, circa 1920, China. The rectangular box de...
Category

1920s Chinese Vintage Qing Boxes

Materials

Copper, Enamel

19th Century Chinese Silverwire Wooden Box Mother of Pearl Design
Located in Brea, CA
19th century Chinese silverwire wooden box with mother of pearl design from the Qing Dynasty. Beautiful intricate floral designs all-over.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Cloisonne Box with Carved Jade Inset Medallion
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa 1900 Chinese box decorated with green, blue, red and yellow floral design set against a white background. The top with a carved white jade floral medallion. The apple green ena...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Jade, Brass

19th Century Chinese Leather Box
Located in Singapore, SG
This antique leather box from Shanxi province has an original dark, almost black, exterior, and a deep maroon leather interior. The characteristic cracked leather texture throughout ...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Qing Boxes

Materials

Leather, Pine

Qing boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Qing boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, asian art and furniture, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Qing boxes made in a specific country, there are Asia, China, and East Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $276 and tops out at $57,280 while the average work can sell for $1,080.

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